• FIFA Ballon d'Or

Messi, Ronaldo and Xavi do battle

ESPN staff
January 9, 2012
Lionel Messi scored some stunning goals in 2011 © Getty Images
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The FIFA Ballon d'Or ceremony begins at 6pm and you can follow it right here

Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Xavi will do battle for the accolade of being crowned the world's best player on Monday and you can watch the star-studded ceremony from Zurich live on ESPN.co.uk.

Barcelona star Messi is the overwhelming favourite and should he win, it will be a hat-trick following his successes in 2009 and 2010.

Should he pick up the trophy, Messi will become the first man since Michel Platini to take the title in three successive years.

Ronaldo, winner of the Ballon d'Or in 2008, had a stellar time in front of goal for Real Madrid in 2011, while Xavi would not be a shock winner given he is the architect of Barcelona's attacking play.

Wayne Rooney is in the running for a trophy, as he is on a three-man shortlist alongside Messi and Neymar for the FIFA Puskas Award. The prize is for the best goal of the year, with Rooney recognised for his stunning overhead kick against Manchester City.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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